2 Week Update

It has been another crazy week as mom & dad battle colds while trying to keep Riley content & happy. But good news on the sleeping front, Riley is now sleeping through the night except for feedings. And is now awake during the day like she should be. As I am sure you can tell we are very happy about this!

Riley had her 2 week appointment with the pediatrician. She has gained 11 ounces and is now 7 lbs 2 oz and has moved from the 10th percentile to 25th for weight. Her height has stayed the same at 19 inches but her head is growing so the doctor says she is doing well. We were a little worried she had a cold because she has had a lot of nose congestion but we were told this is normal and not to be worried. Her next appointment is in two weeks. It will be amazing to see how much she has grown in a month. She is still not fitting into newborn clothes so we will see how long that takes her to catch up.

Enjoy the new pictures below.....

Bath Time!

Wrapped & Warm after a bath

Riley's little feet


Riley enjoying her swing

Riley's 1 Week Update

Riley's 1st Week Update

We have had Riley home for a little over a week now. And it has definitely been an adjustment for us. Riley seems to have her days and nights mixed up. She sleeps like an angel all day and than at night she is up for a good part of the night. So mom & dad do not get much sleep. We will see how the sleeping saga continues, we have a little hope for tonight since she was awake for over an hour today. That is a big accomplishment!

And she had her first pediatrician appointment, which went really well. We love the pedi, she is awesome. Riley gained 3 ounces so she is now 6 lbs 7 ozs but it seems she has shrunk from the hospital measurement. They could barely get her to measure at 19 inches. She is only in the 25th percentile for height and 10th percentile for her weight. She is definitely on the small side, which makes it difficult to find clothes she is too big for premie but too small for newborn. So she is swimming in her clothes. We have about 4 outfits in rotation that fit her the best.

We did have to talk to the doctor about an issue Riley is having with what we call "the milk explosion". She was having issues with keeping her formula down. So she suggested we switch to soy formula which we were not real excited about doing but it has actually helped. But than on Friday the problem started reoccuring so we called and she suggested changing bottles. So Drew went out and bought another brand and that seems to be really helping. And it is helping her gas issues too so I think it will help her not be as fussy during the night.

This week our house has been busy with some visitors. Drew's parents, Oma & Opa Achterhof stopped by to meet Riley for a few hours. And than on Sunday Colleen' mom & stepdad, Grandma & Grandpa Block came for a visit. Grandpa Block only stayed one night and took the train back to Chicago. And Grandma Block stayed for the week to help take care of Riley & Colleen as she recovered. What a huge help! And we had some wonderful people from our church stop two nights to drop off dinners, yum! Last night family friends Lauren & Todd stopped to meet Riley too! So it has been a busy week!



Enjoy the Slideshow of Riley's 1st Week

Achterhof Family Update 5-9-09

Riley Jean Achterhof has arrived happy & healthy! She arrived on May 5th at 11:44 am weighing in at 6 lbs 4 oz and 19 1/4 inches. We had a two day stay at Elkhart General, which all the nurses and staff were wonderful. Riley had a few visitors while at the hospital, Grandma & Grampa Smith, Uncle Don and also the pastors and their wives stoped to check in. And all were head over heals for her, she seems to have that affect. On Thursday afternoon we made the trip home. It was great to be home and not have someone in and out of the room every half hour. Riley and family have been settling in. Riley definitely sleeps and eats like a champ but still needs to figure out the sleeping at night. And Dad is taking great care of both mom and Riley as the recovery goes on and the adjusting of the expanded family.

Today we will be having a vist from Oma & Opa Achterhof. And on Sunday Grandma & Grampa Block will be visiting and staying for a few days to help out while Drew goes back to work.

Riley Coming Home

The Proud Parents




Grandma and Grandpa Smith






Uncle Don



Riley's First Birthday Party







Riley Relaxing at Home

Baby Shower and Riley Jean Achterhof

Riley Jean Achterhof was born on May 5, 2009.

She weighed 6 lbs 4 oz and was 19 inches long.

Below is a small video that I put together for Riley that includes the Baby Shower and some video and pics from the hospital.
I hope you all enjoy








Thanks, Colleen , Drew and Riley